In 24 hours from now, we will know who succeeds President Thomas Bach as the head of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The office of the IOC President is clearly the most powerful sports position in the world, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Whoever wins the contest will have to deal with President Donald Trump leading up to the 2028 Games, and also play a key role in allocating the 2036 Games to one of the many countries in the fray, India being one of the potential hosts.
While there are a half a dozen candidates vying for office, the truth is it is a three-horse race. Kirsty Coventry from Zimbabwe, backed by President Bach, has been one of the names doing the rounds for months now. With a very distinguished CV, Coventry, if she wins, will be the first woman President of the global body. While the support of President Bach is a big plus in her corner, her manifesto, if insiders are to be believed, has not been best received.
The second candidate who is in with a chance is the head of World Athletics, Lord Sebastian Coe. Multiple Olympic gold medal winner, Lord Coe also presided over the delivery of the 2012 London Olympic Games, and has been a very successful sports administrator for years now. Chancellor at Loughborough University, Lord Coe is a master of realpolitik and has the support of sports legends like Usain Bolt and Mo Farah. The truth, however, is that none of these people really matter. It is the small 109-member IOC electoral group who will decide. None except them matter in this high-stakes election.
The International Olympic Committee will hold its election for the next president, at the General Assembly, on March 20, in Greece. Here’s a list of seven candidates who are in the fray for the top job.@RohanDC98 looks at the frontrunners @iocmedia https://t.co/JoUsqIc4si
— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) March 18, 2025
While Lord Coe is considered a go-getter and a very able candidate, his decision to award cash prizes to Olympic gold medallists did not go down too well with the IOC and alienated a few within the system. It is to be seen how he gets some of these people in his corner in his quest to be the 10th IOC President.
The third candidate is Juan Antonio Samaranch Junior. He has been playing this game for a good two and a half decades, and has seen his father lead the IOC with distinction for a good 20 years. A constant presence in Lausanne, Samaranch is a very strong candidate if people in the know are to be believed. His understanding of the corridors of power and his experience in the domain can never be overlooked when counting down to the key presidential vote.
Whoever wins will have his or her task cut out. While the delivery of the 2026 winter games will be the first key assignment, delivering LA 28 will perhaps be the most challenging task for the new President. Working closely with President Trump will hold the key and will test the administrative ability of the winner. For India, the IOC presidency holds particular importance in the light of the 2036 bid. The IOC will decide on the host country in the next few years, and all of India will be closely watching the outcome of the presidential race.
On the face of it, everything is peaceful. But check backstage, and you will know that this is going to be a fascinating election with all eyes of the media focussed on it. May the best person win, and let’s hope the Olympic movement continues to be in very capable hands.
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